Happy Earth Day

Earth Day Factoids


*    Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees

*    The energy we save when we recycle one glass bottle is enough to light a light bulb for four hours.

*    Each person throws away approximately four pounds of garbage every day.

*    One bus carries as many people as 40 cars.

*    More than 1/3 of all energy is used by people at home.

*    Most families throw away about 88 pounds of plastic every year.

*    We each use about 12,000 gallons of water every year.

*    1/3 of all water is used to flush the toilet.

*    The 500 million automobiles on earth burn an average of 2 gallons of fuel a day.

*    Each gallon of fuel releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air.

*    Approximately 5 million tons of oil produced in the world each ear ends up in the ocean.

*    By 1995 over 200 of the world landfills were full.

*    The amount of wood and paper we throw away is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years.

*    Earth is 2/3 water. but all the fresh water streams only represent one hundredth of one percent.

*    14 billion pounds of trash is dumped into the ocean every year .

*    It takes 90% less energy to recycle aluminum cans than to make new ones.

*    5 billion aluminum cans are used each year .

*    84 percent of all household waste can be recycled.

*    For every 2000 pounds of paper (1 ton) recycled, we save 7,000 gallons of water free from chemicals.

*    Approximately only 10 percent of every landfill can be cleaned up.

*    Ivory comes from dead elephants, its best not to buy it.

*    Fur coats often come from endangered animals, it's best not to buy them.

*    One gallon of motor oil can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of water. so dispose of properly!

*    Examples of the water we use everyday:
3-7 gallons for toilet,
25-30 gallons for tub,
50-70 gallons for a 10 minute shower,
1 washing machine load uses 25-40 gallons,
1 dishwasher load uses 9-12 gallons.

*    Examples of how long it takes some items take to break down:
Plastics= 500 years,
Aluminum=500 years,
Organic materials=6 months to one year,
Paper=6 months to one year.

http://www.planetpals.com/fastfacts.html

Small changes make a big difference!

Recycle paper or reuse paper for scratch.

Use plastic, paper and styrofoam dinnerware and cutlery as sparingly as possible.

Switch to compact flourescent bulbs in the home.

Turn off a light.

Unplug appliances not used everyday (a toaster or electric can opener or garage radio).  As long as an appliance is plugged in, it continues to use energy.

Use less water in the shower by not running water on full blast.

Shut water off while brushing teeth.

Run the AC less and use more fans in the summer.

If an errand is within walking distance, walk or ride a bike.  (We can all use the exercise!)

Plant a tree.

If you're lucky enough to have curbside recycling or a recycling drop off site in your community, use it.
         This includes:      #1 and #2 plastics
                                         all paper (newspapers, all that junk mail, even paper bags from fast food meals)
                                         all cardboard
                                                 (corregated or boxes from processed foods like pizza or frozen entrees)
                                         aluminum cans
                                         clear glass

The Earth sustains you.  You can help keep it sustainable.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp